We (my wife and I) are in the process of getting ourselves a new set up for camping for both long (2-3 weeks) and short trips (weekends). We have previously borrowed a tent and gone away for a weekend as a trial and we liked it despite the weather (it dropped to -4 one night & there was a force 9 storm the second!).
We are planning our holidays at the moment and are thinking of heading to France for around two weeks camping in June.
We are looking at getting our own equipment asap so we can give it a trial run closer to home first and we are mostly decided as to what we want, with the exception of cooking equipment.
So far we are planning on getting at least a single burner though, more likely, a double burner to keep our options open. This will sort tea/coffee, toast, pasta, rice, potatoes, veg, etc.
Then we get to the other side of things. We would like a bbq ideally as well. I have seen many options mentioned on here - the Cadac, Cobb, Grilletto (son of hibachi) & the standard portable bbq's (both charcoal & gas).
The Cobb is currently taking our fancy what with the varied range (pizza, roast chicken/potatoes, etc.). I'm aware it's basically an oven rather than a bbq. While we do like proper bbq food we would be happy enough with a griddle pan if it was hot enough - I don't know if this is the case with the Cobb? Then there's also the option of using it for heat on chilly evenings like a mini firepit.
I'm not so sure about the Cadac? A lot of people say they're very happy with them but then again I don't think it's got the same versatility? To me it appears to be a large single burner? From the pictures it appears that the bbq piece has lava rock in there so will give as close to a real bbq as is possible for gas. Does it do roasts if the lid is on?
Another issue is the question as to whether having anything other than a gas unit is sensible given our plans? From what I've read it seems that charcoal burners of any type are not allowed on some of the campsites in France? Seeing as this is something we would like to use daily then this may restrict us to a gas option?
We want to get one of the bbq options and a burner and that's it. We don't want to bring more than we need to keep our menu options as varied as possible. Any comments/suggestions/advice would be most welcome.
Those Cobbs certainly look interesting (if rather pricey). One thing to think about before buying a bbq type cooker might be how much meat you'll eat. We went camping in France, Spain and Portugal for six weeks a few years back, and we found that we often ate vegetarian - basically because there's no way I'd consider using a cool box to keep meat fresh. If you're buying and cooking the same day fine, but if you're out in rural areas away from handy supermarkets, then I wouldn't (I'm sure it's not nice running tothe loo when that might mean running across a field!). We've got a Campingaz two ring burner, and it's been fine (like this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Campingaz-Lagon-Double-Burner-Stove/dp/B000VJ4OGG). Also, if you're going to Europe I'd advise taking things like packet sauce mixes (for stir fries, curries etc) with you, 'cos we found such things very hard to get hold of. Boil in the bag rice and ready cooked noodles are also useful. I'm taking a whole range of stuff to France this year!
The Cadacs, if you buy the full kit, are probably the most versatile of all. Basically you have the possibility of using them as just a gas ring (although I'd have a double burner stove anyway). You've then got the BBQ option which is a metal heat plate and grill. It does work quite well, as with most gas BBQs it's the fat from the food burning on the plate that give you the smokey flavour. The you've got a double-sided griddle plate, ribbed one side and flat the other - great for the full english!
Finally, depending on model, you've got the Skottel, which is basically a giant wok, and the lid. The exception here is the Safari Chef which has a single pan that also doubles up as a lid.
You can buy further accessories such as a roasting pan, but they're not essential.
I now a lot of people like the Cobbs but they're expensive to buy and run IMHO, and are very small compared to even the Cadac SafariChef.
Glen
(Owner of an EaziChef, SafariChef and original Skottel)
Well we are very much meat eaters and would most likely be having meat most days. We would have no problem with shopping regularly as we like to have fresh food and tend to do this anyway.
Quote: Originally posted by Sweetums on 12/4/2010
Well we are very much meat eaters and would most likely be having meat most days. We would have no problem with shopping regularly as we like to have fresh food and tend to do this anyway.
Just one little word of caution. If you are going right down to the South (Cote d'Azur, Var etc), many camp sites will not allow charcoal BBQ's because of the risk of fire, so have an alternative.
Edit: Just spotted that you mention this in your first post, and yes, it is the case.
We bought the grilletto SOH last year and it is a great bbq, easy to use and store. We also bought the Cadac eazi chef for our holiday to France and (nothing against the grilletto - it is fantastic as a bbq) we have used the cadac consistently since - it really is so versatile. Regarding the bbq taste - you do get that. All in all a great all rounder.
Don't get me wrong, we like fresh food too! It's just that driving 10k to a shop when you could be walking up a mountain I find rather frustrating! Fresh vegetables last longer. Like the look of the Cadacs though!
We've got the Son of Hibachi & Cadac - both are great pieces of kit. Interestingly we ruled out the Cobb in favour of the Cadac because of versatility - ideally I'd like both but how many cooking items can you take on one holiday.
IMO the SOH or Grilletto as it is in the UK is a brilliant bbq but thats what it is a bbq - it heats up really quickly and then self cleans itself afterwards and you just pop the lot back into the snuff bag for transporting. The Cadac however, is your camping hobb & oven although for pans you would also need a suitcase stove or suchlike as although it has a pot stand you couldn't use this whilst you are using other pans on it. You can boil water on it, roast & bake on it, stir fry, bbq, pizza, fry, griddle.
We bought the Carri Chef deluxe and bought the Paella pan, Roasting pan & Pizza stone as extras - oh and we also got a skottel liner to make cleaning easier. Apparently the paella pan is one of the best pans to get as you can cook loads of stuff in it spag bol, curry etc etc. We have only used ours once but cannot wait to get going with it.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Cooking equipment advice please
